Convert string to MIT

[Nic2020]

I would be great to have a function to convert a string to an MIT of the correct frequency.

For instance:

frequencymap = Dict{Char,Any}(
    'Q' => Quarterly,
    'M' => Monthly,
    'Y' => Yearly,
)
convert_string_to_mit(t::AbstractString) = length(t) > 5 ? MIT{frequencymap[t[5]]}(parse(Int, t[1:4]), parse(Int, t[6:end])) : MIT{Yearly}(parse(Int, t[1:4]))
convert_string_to_mit("2022")
convert_string_to_mit("2022M11")
convert_string_to_mit("2022Q3")

We could also use Julia's syntax: convert(MIT{Monthly},"2022M1")

[bbejanov]

I've been using, for example, eval(Meta.parse("2022M1")), and thought it's simple enough that it didn't need to be packaged in a new function. I felt the overhead of maintaining another function (doc string, unit tests) wasn't worth it. But we can add it, if you see value in doing so. Let me know.

[Nic2020]

I don't feel strongly about this, but it might be more natural to think about convert(MIT{Monthly},"2022M1") compared to eval(Meta.parse("2022M1")). The performance is also a bit better when avoiding eval(). Below, myfunc uses eval().

[bbejanov]

How about we add a method to parse, e.g. Base.parse(::Type{<:MIT}, ::AbstractString). This way it's not a new function. I feel that if we're producing a value from a string that's parsing rather than a conversion. What do you think?

[Nic2020]

Great idea!